Bella:
Breakfast was calm and nice-a little too nice for my liking. Saying this would make one think I was a sucker for pain, but I was only scared. Being with my mother seemed peaceful, something I would never have dreamed of, and I hated the fact that this was supposedly my safe space. Aside from spending my entire life thinking she hated me, something about the calmness seemed off, as though someone or something was waiting for me to relax in my comfort before knocking it away, dragging me back into the sad life that had been laid out for me.
"You have been awfully quiet," Mother said as she tossed the dishes into the dishwasher.
I stopped wiping the table at once, turning to face her.
"It is nothing," I said to her, and she raised a brow.
"No, seriously." When it looked like she wasn't buying what I was saying, I tried to think of a quick lie. "Honestly, I am thinking of what I am going to get when we go shopping," I said. She nodded, her brows lifting slightly.
She turned back to the dishwasher, which was already running.
"You could always get anything you want. The card is unlimited, so you do not have to think." She turned slightly with a smile, which I forced.
**
Soon we were done cleaning, and we got into the car. Mother drove out of the estate.
"How did you convince Alpha Fred to let you come here without guards?" I asked, and she shrugged.
"A beautiful woman always gets what she wants. Plus, what could go wrong? I might be pretty, but I can fight," she said. I scoffed in a low tone, facing my phone.
She seemed pretty happy, and I would hate to be the one to spoil her day with the cloud of sadness hovering over
me.
As we drove through the city, the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on the streets. My mother hummed softly to herself, her eyes focused on the road. Her easy confidence made the unease bubbling in my stomach feel out of place, like I was the one holding onto unnecessary worry.
"You're awfully quiet," she said again, glancing over at me.
"Just thinking about the shopping spree we're about to have."
"You gave me that reply an hour ago, and I am sensing that is not the truth," she said, letting out a sigh. "But I am not going to force you to speak."
Her lips curled into a smile before she turned back to the road.
"Whatever it is, just know that you deserve to be happy, and we're going to have some fun today, Bella."
I forced a smile, though I wasn't sure if I was lying to her, myself, or both.
**
The shopping center was bustling with people as we pulled into a spacious parking lot. The building gleamed in the sunlight, with rows of trendy boutiques and high-end stores that beckoned from every corner. As we stepped out of the car, my mother stood tall beside me. I wanted to enjoy it, I really did, but the emptiness in my stomach wouldn't leave.
"Come on, let's make this a day to remember!" she exclaimed, looping her arm through mine. "I'm sure you need a new wardrobe, huh? It's been what... a million years since we last did this?"
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Maybe longer or never."
She ignored my words.
We entered the first store-a sleek, minimalist shop with racks of beautiful clothes. The scent of fresh fabric and expensive perfume filled the air. My mother immediately began picking out outfits, tossing them over her shoulder and sending them to the fitting room with the kind of enthusiasm that only someone who knew exactly what they wanted could have.
"Try this on!" she called, throwing a brightly colored dress my way. "It'll look stunning on you."
I raised an eyebrow as I stared at the dress, deeming it fit not for me, but I didn't want to ruin her day, so I took it. A few minutes later, I stepped out of the changing room, adjusting the dress around my waist. Her face lit up with a genuine smile, her hands clasped together in a mock clap.
"That's it!" she said, grinning. "You look amazing, Bella! Let me take a picture!"
My mother quickly pulled out her phone, taking pictures from every angle, her laughter ringing through the store as I spun around in the dress. It felt surreal, like we were characters in someone else's life-someone who could forget their burdens for just a little while.
"Look at that," she teased, showing me the picture she snapped. "You look so grown up."
"Mom, stop," I said with a laugh, noticing that I was almost forgetting my situation. She seemed so carefree and unburdened-something I could only dream of in my next life.
We moved on to other stores, trying on jackets, shoes, and accessories. The fun continued, with my mother giving me tips, acting as if this was just another normal day of mother-daughter bonding. We didn't talk about the past, about my father, or about the things I feared. For her, today was for laughs. She insisted on buying me a pair of glittery boots that I absolutely didn't need, and when I kicked against it, she reminded me that there was no limit on the card.
Finally, we sat in a café in the middle of the shopping center, our bags piled high on the table between us as we sipped iced lattes. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this relaxed and normal. The loud chatter around us, the hum of people moving in every direction-it all felt far away. There was no danger, no vampires or werewolves chasing me, just a mother and daughter taking a moment to catch their breath.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" she asked, studying my face with a soft smile.
I nodded, but the smile didn't quite reach my eyes. "Yeah. It's... nice."
Her gaze softened, and I could tell she was trying to gauge what was going on inside my head. "You know, Bella, you can talk to me about anything. I want to help, you know that."
I wanted to open my mouth, to tell her everything that had been weighing me down, but for some reason, I kept quiet. I wasn't sure what to say. How could I? How could I tell her that something felt off, that I could almost hear the ticking of a clock counting down to something I wasn't ready for?
"Thanks, Mom," I said instead, and for a moment, I let myself relax, even if it was only for a little longer.
**
The next day, we were exhausted after all the shopping and driving around. We had barely made it into the house before collapsing on the couch. Maybe I could sleep until noon, I thought as I stirred from sleep. But then, the familiar sound of footsteps on the floor crept closer, and before I could process what was happening, a cold spray of water hit me square in the face.
"What the-!?" I gasped, bolting upright as my sheets were soaked instantly.
"Rise and shine, Bella!" my mother's voice rang out. She stood at the edge of my bed, grinning widely with a spray gun in hand. She had purchased it the previous day among the 'card-is-unlimited items we do not need.'
I wiped the water from my face, barely able to keep up with the bizarre scene. "Mother, where is your dignity?" I asked.
She paused, giving me a quizzical look. "Dignity? Oh, sweetie, I don't have dignity. I'm just a fun mom, and I'm just thirty-four!"
"You're insane," I muttered, still trying to shake the water from my
hair.
"Yep. This is Fun Mum!" She grabbed my arm and yanked me out of bed, ignoring my protests. "Come on, let's do something fun. We're having a barbecue today, and you're going to help me with the grilling."
"What?" I blinked, still not entirely awake. "Mum, can't I-"
"Nope!" she interrupted, already pulling me toward the kitchen.
I had no choice but to follow her. That was when I realized I was in a nightdress.
"Did you change me?" I cut her off midway through her babble about marinades and grilling techniques.
"Yup, and you didn't move an inch."
We moved outside to the patio, where she'd set up a small grill. The smell of sizzling meat was already wafting through the air. The scent was enough to make my stomach rumble, though I wasn't exactly in the mood for fun and games yet.
My mother handed me a spatula.
"We're going to have the best barbecue, Bella. Trust me, it's going to be the best day ever."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small, reluctant smile tugging at my lips.
"Fine," I said, grabbing the spatula. "But you owe me a nap later."
She grinned, dropping a piece of meat onto the grill.
We spent the next few hours outside, flipping burgers, joking around, and even setting up a makeshift volleyball net. The laughter felt a little more genuine this time, even as the weight of my worries kept pressing on my chest. A part of me was glad I had this moment with her. I liked this side of her. I liked Fun Mum.